【英语时差8,16】婴儿的微笑

A father's abandonment of nine of his children, aged¹ 1 to 17, at a "safe haven²" center in Omaha, Nebraska has been on my mind like a big rock.

Readers may be drawn³ to this event for many reasons. As someone who enjoys children but is not a parent, I find myself contemplating⁴ many questions.

What more important (or noble) task can there be than that of raising a child?

As for the story from Omaha, I wonder too about our use of the term "abandonment." Although the father let go of 9 of his children, he took them to a place where he knew people would offer his children care and protection. Doesn't "abandonment" mean "to throw away"? I can imagine some observers, unable to praise Mr. Staton, saying he at least acted in the best interests of his children.

The value of siblings⁵ in family life also comes to mind.

Having recently visited my siblings and their families, I realize now more than ever that none of us can make it alone in life. Having loved ones with whom to share laughter and tears is a huge blessing⁶.

I hope Mr. Staton gets the help he needs, and I hope family and friends in Omaha can rescue those 9 children.

1 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

2 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

3 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

4 contemplating   

深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想

参考例句：

• You're too young to be contemplating retirement. 你考虑退休还太年轻。
• She stood contemplating the painting. 她站在那儿凝视那幅图画。

5 siblings   

n.兄弟，姐妹( sibling的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A triplet sleeps amongst its two siblings. 一个三胞胎睡在其两个同胞之间。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She has no way of tracking the donor or her half-siblings down. 她没办法找到那个捐精者或她的兄弟姐妹。 来自时文部分

6 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。